JERSEY CITY - In two weeks, Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy will give his last State of the City address before the upcoming mayoral election in May. Thus, the address will be one of his last opportunities to convince local residents that Jersey City has flourished under his leadership and that he deserves another term in office.

The mayor used his address last year to kick off his re-election campaign by touting the city's track record on economic development, real estate development, sustainability, and commitment to the arts. This year, however, Healy will have to give his address before a divided City Council whose majority is aligned with his chief opponent in the race for mayor, City Councilman Steven Fulop. And while two council members, Peter Brennan and Viola Richardson, are running on Healy's re-election slate, three others - Rolando Lavarro Jr., Nidia Lopez, and Diane Coleman - are running with Fulop. Any attempts Healy makes to highlight his record in office are sure to be refuted by the opposition in the last weeks of the campaign. Jersey City voters will go to the polls on May 14 to elect a new mayor. All nine City Council seats are also up for re-election.

Healy will give his State of the City Address on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at City Hall, 280 Grove St. at 6 p.m. - E. Assata Wright